THE INDEPENDENT ORDER OF RECHABITES IN THE ISLE OF MAN: An ...

1910/11 with 1931/2. Some spirits were down 80% and beer by over half. The Report also
had a summary of Licensing Law in the Island.233

On December 31 1933 North Douglas Tent rejoined Mona Union Tent. In its 35 year
existence it had initiated 269 members and at closure some 74 members were
transferred.234 The loss of funds with the failure of Dumbells Bank in 1900 and the
absorption of the King Orry Tent appears to have blighted the Tent which only achieved
solvency in the 1920-25 valuation. The contraction in numbers had made two Tents in
Douglas unnecessary just as growth had led to its formation in the first place. The District
Aged Persons Fund was now surplus as all other Tents were solvent.235

In 1934 Head Office issued an appeal to enrol Associate members, where circumstances
were against benefit members, to strengthen numbers. This appeal anticipated events
after the Second World War but had no effect on the Island where the Tents had had
such members for 50 years as associate numbers continued to decline.236 At the 1935
HMC, when it was mentioned that such members had not been the custom in England, the
DSJT Bro. Fargher told it of the District’s local success.237

The HMC was never to return to the Island, although it was occasionally suggested,
including during a visit by the HS and HSJT when it was proposed that the Island host
the 1937 HMC. This was considered by the Executive who suggested the cost be met
by a levy of 1/- per member for five years or half by District, half by levy. Both were
rejected and no invitation was issued.238

Centenary Celebrations.
The Order Juvenile centenary celebrations in Manchester were attended by fifteen
Juveniles from Mona Union and Mona Fellowship joined by twelve insular members from
six other tents. The delegation was headed by the IOM Banner and the plated regalia of
Mona Union Tent followed by the District Officers in their collars.239 This was only after
the Tents had responded to a letter regarding Juvenile representation at the Centenary

233 Appendix 12.
234 See District Register.
235 AM Apr 19 1934.
236 Appendix 2 supplementary figures 1934 - 1955.
237 HYM report of delegates to HMC Oct 24 1935.
238 HYM Oct 25 1934 and AM Apr 11 1935.

46

Pageant that the responsibility on a Tent Official in supervising Juveniles was too great.
They declined the committee’s suggestion that representatives from each Tent should take
part due to the expense on the Tents’ Management Funds. As a result, attempts to
organise District representation were abandoned.240 This response must have annoyed the
District Officials and underlined the lack of interest in Juvenile work.

Interestingly, at about this time the Order issued a small booklet summarising the aims of
the movement in the answer to a question:

Has the Order a Social Side? Yes! while the promotion of Temperance
and Thrift are the objects of the Order, it seeks to attain these by
holding regular meetings at stated times, and these are intended to be a
Temperance Society, a Friendly Society, Mutual Improvement
Association, and a social club all in one...241

How much of this still applied is open to question. As times moved on it was neatly
summed up by the HCR in his address to the centenary HMC in 1935.

‘A Century of change, 100 years ago men went home sober by mistake,
today a drunken man is an object of pity and disgust. The Medical
profession said you could not be healthy without drink, [we are] now
told [there is] no scientific evidence that drink strengthens or fortifies
the system or helps overcome disease. Technical achievements have
transformed life, comfort and drudgery, easy travel and deadly
monotony.242

The District’s Centenary was celebrated on May 21 1936243 when about 750 members
marched in procession to the Villa Marina grounds to be addressed by HSJT Bro. James
Brown and MBD Bro. Sir William R Williams. The Island’s Attorney General, Ramsey B
Moore, presided. A centenary medal was issued to mark the occasion.244 The
celebrations cost £72 funded from District Management and Juvenile Funeral Funds.245

239 HYM Oct 24 1935.
240 AM Apr 11 1935.
241 A Romance of Rechabitism: question 11.
242 Highet - report of centenary conference.
243 The programme pointed out: the Order admitted women as well as men and gave them equal
privileges of office. Contributions of members were paid at a certain age if members for a number of
years. It suggested making the Society your approved one for Manx National health insurance and
pointed out you could insure for any of the benefits provided.
244 100 years of Manx Rechabitism by P.W. Caine.
245 HYM recommendation of Executive Oct 29 1936.

47

In direct contrast to the celebrations, membership was continuing to cause concern. In
twenty five years Adults had fallen from over 3,000 to 1,907,246 Juveniles by half, and two
Tents had closed.247 Continued population changes were a factor with the number of 0-14
year olds down over 30%248 between 1911 and 1931 and the total male population down
by over 1,500. Virtually every age group under 50 was declining, whilst those over 50
were up. Increased social mobility and improved standards of living, better health, more
entertainment with the spread of cinemas and sport meant less need for social activities.
Increasing State intervention and talk of public health provision all reduced the need of
people to join. The future prospects were not good, it was becoming marginalised.

The Second World War
The war in 1939 led to suspension of sickness benefits to those in the forces, but members
were given the option of continuing to pay with title to benefit. A Funeral Benefit
Equalisation Fund dealt with all death claims arising from war action, funded by a levy
based on value of funeral shares in 1935. The District exempted members serving with
the forces from Funeral Fund contributions during the war.249

Some changes were imposed on the District. For example, a Rule change from the Board
relating to injuries sustained whilst on active service that said unless a District expressly
ruled otherwise the amount of sickness payments paid to a member should be reduced by
the amount of any payment under the emergency provisions/pensions acts. After
discussion at the Annual Meeting an amendment to rules was recommended to Tents
agreeing to pay full sickness benefit.250

After over 30 years of service the DSJT Bro. R.G. Fargher resigned. He died soon
afterwards.251 He was typical of District Executive Officers who served for long periods
finally resigning due to poor health. Bro. James Darbyshire Distric t Book Examiner also
served over 30 years, resigned in 1937, and soon died.252 They reflected stagnation in the
Council which was to continue for the rest of the District’s existence. Changes largely
only occurred due to illness, age or death. When DT Bro. C.H. Kay tendered his

246 Appendix 2.
247 North Douglas and Ellan Vannin see Appendix 1.
248 See appendix 7, 0-14 years, 1911 7,427, 1931 5,155.
249 HYM Nov 16 1939.
250 AM May 1 1941.
251 Resignation noted AM Apr 30 1942, death noted AM Apr 29 1943.

48

resignation, a tribute to him stated he had been a Rechabite for 65 years, served on the
Council for 54 years and been DT since 1914.253 In 1944 Bro. J. Allen the representative
for Mona Fellowship tent was congratulated on his 84th birthday, 67 years a Rechabite.254

At the 1943 HMC the Beveridge Report was reviewed. It was reported a committee
representing the National Conference of Friendly Societies was considering it in close
contact with the Government. The IOM was represented. The HCR referred to Social
Security and said:

“No one who has the interests of his fellow men and women at heart will
deny or try to prevent the promotion of services whereby those who
require, and deserve it, may be helped. Friendly Societies were the
authors, and have been the promoters, of a system of Social security for
over 100 years; and it cannot be forgotten that their experience was
used as a basis for the introduction of National Health Insurance in
1912; and it would therefore not only be injudicious, but a very grave
error of judgement, were they to be ignored in the carrying out of this
proposed scheme. Indeed the country could only do so at its peril, for
personal incentive and responsibility must not be sacrificed on the altar
of State provisions.” 255

The Rechabites still failed to recognise that politics had moved on and temperance was
now a minority issue. Beveridge wished to address the causes of problems in society
rather than one aspect and the Labour Government elected in 1945 passed four acts
creating the Welfare State which removed the necessity to privately insure against illness,
leaving death benefit, mutual aid and support [social functions] and temperance intact of
the Order’s original aims. It needed more benefits to attract new members and retain old
ones.

A return to temperance principles saw resolutions passed at HMC protesting against the
extent that drink appeared in BBC programmes, that HM Government continued to
permit the diversion of essential foodstuffs in the manufacture of beer and calling attention
to a serious shortage of minerals and soft drinks.

252 Resignation noted AM Apr 22 1937, died Jul 5 1937.
253 AM Apr 29 1943. Charles H Kay 1860-1944, Managing director of Douglas Gas Light Co. PDCR,
DS 1891-5, DT 1904-43, past Secretary and Auditor of MU Tent and a member of Rosemount
Methodist Church. Obituary Weekly Times May 20 1944.
254 HYM Oct 26 1944.
255 HYM Oct 28 1943.

49

On a local note the District Council passed a resolution protesting against including
intoxicants in draws and lotteries claiming it went against licensing law, lacked safeguards
to protect those under 18 and encouraged moral laxity. It also requested that hours of
opening be cut by one hour in line with other premises that had cut hours. The District
was increasingly out of step with local opinion as adverse reports in the local press of
representations to the Licensing Court testify particularly when opposing license changes
to improved premises. To end this period true to style the Council passed the following
motion.

That in view of the expected early cessation of hostilities in Europe, this
District Council deplores the suggestion that an extension of hours
should be granted to licensed premises on Victory Day, and urges upon
the Licensing Authorities the great desirability that no such extension of
drinking facilities should be granted, feeling assured that the same
would not be in accordance with the wishes of the general public.256

This appeal was evidently successful as it was reported the Chief Constable had replied to
the DS that no special licenses were granted for VE Day.257

256 AM May 3 1945.
257 Nov 1 1945.

50

Chapter 6
After the Second World War and the effects of the Welfare State.

Decline of the Juvenile section.
Restructuring the Order.
Collapse of the Juvenile section.
Decline in membership.
End of the District.
Consolidation to Manchester.

Decline of Juvenile Section.
The Juvenile Annual Report of 1946 noted a small increase in numbers but significantly
only seven transfers to Adults possibly the lowest ever recorded. Several Tents now
had no Juvenile members.258 It continued to criticise la ck of support and suggested that
either Tents were finding it difficult to persuade Juveniles to enter the adult Tent or that
there was apathy or neglect on their part. Tent meetings should be more frequent, at least
once a month and programmes arranged. The main activity was now the annual
temperance knowledge examination and a trophy was purchased for presentation to the
candidate with the highest marks. 259

Reports at this time mainly note the success of candidates in the temperance knowledge
examinations and the prizes awarded, which seems to have generated a healthy level of
competition amongst candidates.260 The problem was that members no longer needed to
join for benefits as is shown by the complete reversal of benefit and associate
membership figures between 1948 and 1955.261 It appears that the Juveniles with their
film shows, trips and events became merely a social club which members left at transfer
age.

With the advent of the welfare state in 1948 the emphasis for Juveniles was changed and
a specia l HMC advised that, to retain Juveniles, Districts should concentrate upon an
endowment benefit for younger members and possibly Sickness Benefit for older ones.
Whilst the benefit side of Juvenile membership must be maintained it was equally, if not

258 AM May 2 1946.
259 AM May 1 1947.
260 Ernest Cleator a former member of Sons of Mona Tent told me how he went to great lengths,
including taking in the text book, in an effort to win the top award.
261 See appendix 2.

51

more, important that the social side be fostered. Changes in the Law brought in by the
Friendly Societies Act262 precluded Insurance for death of any child under ten, reducing
further the benefits applicable to children.

Restructuring the order.
The Executive had been aware of the coming impact of Health and Pensions Insurance
as is noted in the Executive Report in 1946:263

It is realised that it may be more difficult to attract new members in view
of the increase in contributions for Health and Pensions Insurance.
The 1947 HMC received a special report on restructuring.264 The issues affecting the
District were: centralising administration within a District; minimum membership of non
consolidated Tent increased to 50 from 25; combining Adult and Juvenile Districts;
contributions and benefits should cease at 65 [sick pay].

A special HMC was held265 at which the Board reported that HDR, HSJT and three
Directors had accepted positions with the Ministry of National Insurance as had 51
District Secretaries and 190 office staff. A Resolution expressed grateful appreciation to
those who had chosen to remain in the Order’s service. Under the Friendly Societies Act
unless a Tent had under £5,000 assets its accounts now had to be audited by an approved
auditor. 266 The HSJT reported to HMC267 that the outstanding feature was changes
made to conform with the Industrial Assurance and Friendly Societies Act of 1948, which
had made great changes in the benefits which could be made by Friendly Societies. The
fact that medical benefit and death grants were met by the new scheme practically closed
the door for new members joining under existing tables. Subsequently, General Rule was
amended so that members could choose to contribute to any one Benefit Fund and need
not necessarily insure in the Funeral Fund.

Gradual Decline.
Once again the matter of a consolidated District Sick Fund was raised, this time by the HS
who pointed out two Tents had less than 50 members and should be consolidated. The

262 HYM Oct 28 1948.
263 Executive Report Oct 24 1946.
264 Summarised in HYM Oct 30 1947.
265 Summarised in HYM Oct 28 1948.
266 HYM Oct 28 1948.

52

Council decided to leave this matter in abeyance,268 but eventually the HS repeated his
request for consolidation of Mona Ebenezer and Rising Star.269 Mona Ebenezer in reply
asked that this matter be deferred and nothing happened for another year.270

After the next valuation, which showed a good surplus in Sick Funds, the valuer
recommended part be appropriated so that members who had contributed could benefit.
The Aged Persons Fund was finally wound up with the balance transferred to Juvenile
District Management Fund.271 The surpluses allowed the HS to exert further pressure
over consolidation and revision of District Rules by refusing to allow transfers until
matters were resolved. The District accepted the recommendation of the executive that
the rules be based on the Model Rules issued by Head Office, with some local
modifications.272 These were duly circulated and approved at a special meeting.273
Subsequently a new section was included that an additional benefit of £1.5.0 per share
was to be paid from the Death Fund Valuation Surplus, subject to sufficiency of the Fund.
The revision was finally passed.274 The Registrar approved the Rules in 1959 and they
were printed in 1960.

1956 saw adult numbers dropping below 1,000 for the first time since the early 1860’s. In
the twenty years since the Distric t Centenary, membership had halved. The decline
looked set to continue with very few new members and a steady flow of deaths.
The Juvenile section tried a new initiative and held an evening rally at Peel on June 21
1956 supported by four Tents and attended by about 180 including parents. Regarded a
success it was repeated for several years. Entries continued in the temperance exam and
the Island gained the highest percentage of awards.275 The 1957 rally was held at Glen
Wyllin, attended by about 200 and supported by 5 Tents. The HSJT made a special visit to
present his temperance knowledge exam prize. The District had 67 candidates and
achieved good publicity.276 A further rally was held at Laxey Glen Gardens on June 19
1958 which was reported successful with many visiting the circus.

267 Reported in HYM Oct 27 1949.
268 HYM Nov 2 1950.
269 AM May 20 1954.
270 HYM Nov 4 1954.
271 HYM Nov 4 1954.
272 HYM Nov 24 1955.
273 Special Meeting Mar 10 1956.
274 Extra clause at AM May 10 1956, final approval HYM Nov 15 1956.
275 HYM Nov 15 1956.
276 HYM Nov 14 1957.

53

Rising Star Tent solved the question of consolidation by announcing a merger with Star of
Mona. However, at the same time Mona Daniel was reported to only have 48 members
and it had not sent in its returns. A deputation was appointed to meet with the Tent.277

National membership continued its steady fall whilst assets were increasing; the Order’s
funds now exceeded ten million pounds. Lapsed members continued to enrich the Order
as Juvenile funds vividly illustrated, at the end of 1955 Death Benefit and Sick Funds
were £162,000 and £22,000 whilst the total payments from both in 1955 was only £184!

Steady contraction now began to affect several Tents, with Star of Foxdale reporting that
due to lack of officers it was to join the Good Samaritan Tent.278 It was soon followed by
Mona Daniel which amalgamated with Mona Rushen.279 In the space of three years three
Tents had now closed. Mona Ebenezer finally stated that it wished to consolidate its Sick
Funds with the District in 1961.280

A long success in retaining Sunday closing was brought to an end with the change in
Licensing Law in 1960,281 as a result of the recommendations made by the Licensing
Commission of 1959.282 The District acknowledged the opposition mounted by G Moore
MLC and CC McFee MHK,283 and evidence was also given by the Manx Temperance
Federation.

At the 1961 HMC284 it was reported that numbers continued to fall whilst assets
increased. It seemed the way forward lay in insurance policies and endowments, with
over 500 new policies issued worth over £93,000 in 1959/60. A Commission was set up
into the running of the Order and its activities. A national Hospital and Medical Benefit
scheme was to be introduced and an optional local Maternity Benefit scheme. The HCR
commented to the 1965 HMC285 on the difficulty in halting the decline in membership.

277 AM May 16 1957.
278 HYM Nov 27 1958 with effect from Jan 1 1958.
279 AM May 21 1959 with effect from Jan 1 1960.
280 AM May 11 1961.
281 Licensing (misc. provisions) Act 1960.
282 This recommended sale of liquor in pubs in the summer between 12.30 - 2.30 and 8-10 p.m.
283 AM Apr 28 1960.
284 HYM Nov 2 1961.
285 HYM Oct 14 1965.

54

Many Tents and Districts had neglected the social side which he felt had closed many of
them. Interest in temperance was also lacking. Order Funds continued to increase as did
the number of Order Insurance policies with nearly a third of a million pounds in business
held and bonuses likely to be good.

Another Tent was failing with Mona Ebenezer in the process of amalgamation with Mona
Fellowship. This took some time to achieve due to legal difficulties over Trustees, but was
announced to be almost complete in late 1968.286

Increasingly, as Districts failed, centralisation became the issue, with administration

gradually moved back to Manchester. This was unpopular with the District who resisted it

to the bitter end. By 1967 the HMC could report seven Districts had transferred

engagements to Head Office and five more were under observation. Despite this the
Report on the centralisation of Tents and Districts was heavily defeated.287

A partial valuation in 1968 revealed:

Mona Jonadab 42 members surplus £803, solvency 31/2 in £
Mona Fellowship,
Mona Rushen, 61 members, surplus £5,013, solvency 73/- in £
Good Samaritan
109 members, surplus £6,605, solvency 56/11 in £

53 members, surplus £4,262 solvency 70/5 in £

Mona Union had not supplied returns to enable valuation. Membership had now fallen
below 500 having halved in twelve years. The declining and ageing membership had now
accumulated considerable funds and how to increase benefits for the remaining members
was to increasingly concern the Executive.288 In 1969 the salaries of District Officers
were increased and the Office of Tent Book Examiner was abolished as redundant due to
Public Audit.289

In 1970 the HCR visited to discuss with Executive and Tent Secretaries the question of
accounts and of general administration. It was subsequently agreed that the District be
centralised from January 1 1972.290 A Centralisation Committee291 was appointed and
recommended: the establishment of District Sick and Special Funds; a revision of rules;

286 HYM Nov 7 1968.
287 HYM Nov 7 1967.
288 AM May 16 1968.
289 HYM Nov 6 1969.
290 AM May 14 1970.
291 HYM Nov 25 1971.

55

special benefits to be paid at the highest local rate; Tent Secretaries be paid more than
Board suggested rate; and continuation of sick stewards salary at the present rate.

When the Tent Assets were transferred the Rechabite Hall in Peel was considered a
liability. It was sold to Peel Town Commissioners for £1,000 in 1974.292 The Consolidated
assets of the District were £86,556.82 for a membership of 376 at the end of 1973.293
Further rationalisation occurred with the disposal of the Rechabite Hall in Colby, formerly
property of Mona Rushen Tent. It was sold by December 1976 for £5,000 to Port Erin
Sports Club subject to conditions prohibiting sale of alcohol and playing of Bingo.294 As a
result of the valuation surpluses and sale of properties, £15,000 was able to be transferred
to the Special Fund. It was agreed to introduce payment of a Christmas Bonus of £5 from
Christmas 1975 to all members over 65. This had previously only received only by
members of Star of Mona Tent.295

There was still some temperance activity. In 1972, when the Liquor Licensing
Commission296 was operating, Bro. W J Alexander hoped to represent the District at the
public meeting and asked the Manx Temperance Federation for support in giving
evidence. In 1975 the District sent a letter to the Secretary of Tynwald expressing
opposition to suggestion that duty-free drinks should be available to visitors travelling on
Steam Packet boats.297 In 1976 the Deputy Grand Templar, who lived in Douglas,
requested assistance with their petition to the British Government to prohibit showing of
television programmes advertising alcoholic drinks before 9 p.m. Each Tent was supplied
with petition forms for return to the Templars.298 Shortly afterwards a donation of £30
was made to the Methodist Church District Council for Social Responsibility towards the
cost of their unsuccessful opposition to the granting of a liquor licence to the social club at
King William’s College.299 A letter was also sent to N Cringle MHK thanking him for his
efforts to uphold the temperance cause with regard to drinking in Castle Rushen
School.300

292 Receipt of payment noted in Executive Report to HYM Nov 7 1974.
293 HYM Nov 7 1974.
294 AM May 13, Special Meeting Aug 26 and HYM Dec 9 1976.
295 HYM Nov 6 1975.
296 See Report of Liquor Licensing Commission 1972.
297 AM May 8 1975.
298 Executive Report to AM May 13 1976.
299 HYM Dec 9 1976.

56

The 1976 valuation report showed balances for the Sick Fund of £36,418 [surplus £26,972
or £3.86 in the pound] and the Death Fund at £5,390 [surplus £2,669 or £1.98 in the
pound]. A letter from the Board301 stated that in view of very large surplus ‘That the
District be required to make commutation to all members over 65 years and in
consequence sick pay to these members would then cease.’ The actuary
recommended £12.50 per share. The Board also suggested some of the surplus should be
used to increase death benefit from £6.25 to £8 per share. The commutation was carried
out from the Sick Fund, but District Assets at the end of 1978 were only down £6,741 to
£90,336.302 The exercise revealed that by 1978 membership was 275, of which only 63
were under 60.303 Each Annual Meeting recorded a drop in membership whilst the District
was becoming richer.

The last remaining property was the former Mona Union Rechabite Hall in Allen Street
Douglas where most of the Meetings were held. At this time it features in the Minutes as
needing a series of repairs and upgrading to meet safety regulations.304 It began to lose
money despite being let out. Difficulties were experienced in collecting the rent which led
to threats of legal action against the tenant and the eventual issue of a summons before
payment was received. A series of expensive repairs proved the final straw and the
premises were eventually sold for £40,000 in 1988.305

Mona Fellowship now is the only one of the seven remaining Tents to mention Juveniles
and it continued to enter a few members in the temperance exam each year. To
encourage them the District agreed that candidates be given an award of £2 each.306

The District Special Fund was now used to make grants to pensioner members to assist in
the purchase of spectacles, hearing aids and dentures. The annual Christmas bonus was
increased to £10.307 The financial state of the District continued to improve, despite
mortgage redemptions, as benefits were largely paid from investment income. The 1981

300 AM May 12 1977.
301 Jun 29 1978.
302 Executive Report of Meeting of May 17 1979.
303 Commutation book for 1978-80, lists 7 Tents, Mona Union ,Mona Jonadab, Star of Mona,
Mona Fellowship, Mona Rushen, Good Samaritan and Sons of Mona. The amounts paid were 1978
£8,975, 1979 £400, 1980 £375. Tents ranged from 21 to 52 members.
304 Executive Reports to Meetings of Nov 10 1977, Jun 29 1978 and Nov 9 1978.
305 Sale confirmed to Ellis Brown and Co. Architects HYM Nov 21 1988.
306 Meetings held Nov 9 1978 and May 17 1979
307 Report of Special Committee on distribution of grants from Special Fund Nov 1 1979.

57

valuation showed solvency figures for the a Sick and Death Funds of £11.88 and £1.41
respectively.308 When Bro. S Leece retired as DS after fifteen years, he noted that the
Order was strong in finance but weak in other directions and hoped for a revival in future.
His successor Bro. TE Moore was appointed in 1983309 and he was destined to be the
last DS. Faced with a surfeit of funds, a sub committee reported on ways to increase
benefits from money in the Special Fund.310 It recommended increases in sick benefit
from £1 to £3 for four shares at full rate; Death Benefit from £9.25 to £27.75 per share;
Christmas Bonus to £15; 25% increase in District Officers and Tent Secretaries salaries
and increased attendance and mileage allowances from August 1 1984. The HS
subsequently refused to allow the increase in Death Benefit, saying it could not be taken
from the Special Fund and suggesting Sick and Death Funds be combined to fund it. The
Executive agreed.311 Eventually, the Board agreed to increase the death benefit to £13 per
share and increase commutation at 65 from £12.50 to £25 per share.312

Amidst all the consideration of benefits one last propaganda gesture happened in 1985
with the gift of £50 to the IOM Council of Churches for the purchase of a temperance
film to be shown in schools.313

The state of the Order nationally led the Board to make recommendations to the HMC
attempting to centralise the Order in Manchester from Dec 31 1989. The District opposed
this and asked the DS to obtain legal advice on voluntary dissolution from the Order should
they be accepted.314 A discussion paper was received from the Board entitled the Future
of the Order and the Executive answered the questions it put as follows:315

Whether re-organisation is wanted? - NO.
Whether each District should be left to mark out its own future
- YES.
How could Order best serve total abstaining public in 2001 -
by promoting more benefits for total abstainers.
How will the Order do that - by promoting more propaganda
in Sunday Schools, Day Schools and Youth Clubs.

308 AM May 19 1983.
309 AM May 19 1983.
310 Special District Council Meeting Jul 10 1984.
311 HYM Nov 13 1984.
312 HYM Nov 14 1985.
313 AM May 23 1985.
314 HYM Nov 14 1985.
315 AM May 20 1986.

58

What can the Order do better in the provision of insurance that a
mutual insurance company can? - no comment.
What is the difference between the Order and organisations such as
Masons, Rotary and Soroptomists - pledged to abstain from alcohol.

The Board subsequently withdrew its motion on amalgamation due to lack of support.

Following valuation, the Order Actuary suggested benefits be increased for commutation
from £25 to £75 per share and death grant from £13 to £39 per share. This was
agreed.316 Various benefits were also increased: the Christmas bonus from £20 to £40
and sick benefit to £2 per day for members with four shares.317

A final temperance gesture was the offer of a donation to the Dry Pub in Peel for the
purchase of a trophy for sport but this was not replied to so was eventually withdrawn.318

End of the District.
Despite the rejection of the Board’s proposals, it was evident that something had to be
done and revised proposals to instead regionalise Districts were carried by a later
HMC.319 Within a couple of years, despite the Districts continued opposition to changes in
the Order’s structure, further change was inevitable. During a visit the HS addressed the
Council and outlined the Boards latest proposals for the next HMC:320

1. Title of Order to change from The Independent Order of Rechabites
to Rechabite Friendly Society.

2. Title of The High Officers would be change i.e. HCR become
Chairman of Board, DCR become Chairman of District.

3. Board would also ask delegates to approve standardisation of all
benefits, mortgage interest, commutation payments and book keeping
practices, also new regalia would be available.

The District finally agreed to these proposals except standardisation of benefits as the
District’s far exceeded those proposed by the Board. The audit of accounts was
transferred to Manchester to save money. The assets of the District now exceeded
£140,000.321

316 HYM Nov 21 1988.
317 AM May 14 1990.
318 AM May 14 1990.
319 Report of delegates to HMC to AM May 17 1988.
320 Meeting of May 6 1991.
321 HYM Nov 13 1991.

59

The loss of members was now critic al with numbers down to nearly 100, down by a third
between 1987 and 1991. The District was really no longer viable. There was difficulty in
finding officers as members stayed in office until either death or resignation due to ill
health, usually at an advanced age.322 Management expenses now far exceeded managed
contributions, the balance being found from interest.

Consolidation to Manchester.
On June 1 1993 the Independent Order of Rechabites ceased to exist and became the
Rechabite Friendly Society and the Isle of Man District became the IOM Region. The
Officers’ Titles changed. Much of the ritual and regalia was abolished. The
standardisation of benefits meant a reduction of death grant from £39 to £20 per share
and commutation was reduced from £50 to £20 per share. The Christmas Bonus, unique
to the Region, was abolished.323 The Chairman of the Board visited the District and
reported that the Registrar of Friendly Societies had insisted that all long-term assurance
had to be operated from Manchester. This meant the District’s Death and Sick Funds
must be transferred there, a sum of over £57,000.324

In 1995 the District Manager reported the deaths of four of the Executive325 in the last
year and recommended that, due to small number of members, the time had come for the
Region to be centralised to Manchester.326 This was rejected by the Meeting, but it was
only postponing the inevitable.

The Society had now voted to be incorporated. It was finally arranged to transfer the
Regions Funds. On Dec 31 1995 £3,700 of £144,597 was retained and the balance
transferred to Head Office.327 The minutes of the Region finish on July 19 1996. The
Region was amalgamated into the Midlands and North West Region on December 31
1996.328 By 1998 all the Regions were in the process of being centralised to Head Office
in Manchester. After an existence of just over 160 years the movement finally came to

322 For example HYM May 4 1992 noted 4 officers wished to resign due to ill health and that a
District Trustee had died aged 90 and the DCR for 1991 had resigned due to ill health and
subsequently died aged 78.
323 Region Meetings Oct 25 1993 and May 2 1994.
324 Special Council Meeting May 9 1994.
325 Aged 81, 80, 79 and 79 respectively.
326 AM May 8 1995.
327 AM May 6 1996.
328 Information received from Mr Moore the last DS and Manager who deposited the later records
with Manx National heritage in 1998.

60

an end in the Isle of Man. The Rechabite Friendly Society still exists today issuing
Insurance policies to those who pledge abstinence from alcohol. There are still a few
members maintaining policies with them on the Island to this day.

61

Conclusion

What then is the legacy of the Rechabites in the Isle of Man?

In conjunction with the Methodist Church and other temperance organisations, they helped
the Manx take an interest in their own welfare, stimulated social change and, it could be
claimed, helped prepare for constitutional change and further self government. They
particularly provided a potent force for social change in the reduction in consumption of
drink and introduction of licensing controls. Individually they provided members with a
safety net against misfortune such as sickness or early death. This in the absence of
practically any state or local provision was something every prudent person who could
afford the subscriptions would take up as is demonstrated by the large numbers belonging
to Friendly Societies prior to the First World War.

They also gave their members opportunities to create qualities of independence and self
respect, to improve themselves in the Victorian tradition with regular meetings and rallies
providing social contact. Members who would not otherwise have had a chance to travel
off Island could do so to attend conferences and meetings.

Women on the Isle of Man achieved a partial franchise earlier than in Britain and there is
evidence of attempts to encourage female participation locally with the Ellan Vannin Tent
and mentions in the District Minutes. However, without comparative data it is not possible
to say whether the number of female members was proportionally any higher here than
elsewhere. There were at least two female DCRs after World War Two [1953 and 1974]
and they were active in Juvenile work almost to the end. Nationally the first female was
not elected to the Board until 1955.

Included in this dissertation is an extensive range of appendices, including occupational
tables for three Tents which show the wide appeal to local people from all sections of the
community. Officers tended to be the better educated especially in the earlier years but
the opportunities for advancement were there as can be seen from the careers of some of
the District secretaries who advanced from humble origins.

62

The major practical legacy is that the various Friendly Societies, in order to administer
their benefits, compiled actuarial statistics and worked out tables of contributions. These
were used by the Government to form the basis of the modern social security system, and
many of the staff of the societies were employed to administer it. They were to some
extent victims of their own success as the welfare state took away the need for the cover
they provided. How much the rigid adherence to total abstinence, when compromise or
moderation would have perhaps been a better way forward, and whether it alienated
potential members and helped virtually destroy the Order is a controversial issue. Fanatics
to one section of society are heroes to another.
As a postscript, the Chief Minister of the Island announced the appointment of a
Committee in 1999 to consider the problems of misuse of alcohol and suggest a plan to
alleviate the problem along the lines of a recently produced five year strategy to tackle
drug abuse. The Island Alcohol Advisory Service submitted evidence and commented:

‘The drinking of alcoholic beverages is so deeply rooted in our culture
that, before embarking on a strategy, careful consideration should
perhaps be given to the range of issues surrounding its use’.
The service went on to highlight a range of issues which show that the problem of alcohol
abuse continues to this day even though social and economic conditions have changed so
much since the start of the temperance movement.329

329 Summary in IOM Examiner Jul 6 1999 p.3
63

Appendix 1

a) List of Adult Tents which have existed in the IOM District.

Reg. Name. Place Date Date
No. Opened. Closed.

22 Mona Union Douglas 1836 .

49 Mona Zion** Dalby c.1837 pre 1856

50 Mona Jonadab Michael 1837 .

60 Star of Mona* Peel 1837 .

61 Mona Daniel Castletown 1837 1959

912 Mona Fellowship Ramsey 1842 .

913 Mona Rushen Rushen 1859 .

1018 Mona Salem** Foxdale c.1862 pre 1888

1039 Mona’s Delight** Laxey c.1863 pre 1888

1142 Mona Joshua*** Ballaugh 1865 pre 1904

1150 Mona Ebenezer Sulby 1866 1968/9

1162 Good Samaritan Crosby 1867 .

1163 Sons of Mona Laxey 1867 .

1164 Star of Foxdale Foxdale 1870 1957

1410 Rising Star Glen Maye 1873 1956/7

1710 Santon Union Santon 1887 pre 1978.

2817 North Douglas Douglas 1898 1933

.. King Orry Onchan 1896 1899

4793 Ellan Vannin Ramsey 1914 1927

* originally called Mona Joshua.
** mentioned in the District Centenary booklet as early Tents that failed and not in 1888
yearbook.
*** in 1893 yearbook but not 1904/5 yearbook.

Members enrolled up to 1972 [includes 14 of 19 known Tents]
From District Register 9417/11

Ellan Vannin 0048 Mona Union 2795
Good Samaritan0329
Mona Daniel 0421 North Douglas 0269 0633
Mona Ebenezer 0092
Mona Fellowship 1218 Rising Star 0870
Mona Jonadab 0263 0561
Mona Rushen 0822 Santon Union 0166 2356

Sons of Mona

Star of Foxdale

Star of Mona

Total numbers 10,843

64

b) List of Juvenile Tents before they were changed to
Adult Tent numbers and names.

National Juvenile sections were organised in 1840 registered 1888.

IOM Juvenile District No 6 Instituted 9.1.1842
consisting of 13 Tents with 1314 boys and 0 girls*.

Reg. Name. Place Date 1893
No. Opened. Membership

35 Mona Union, Douglas 1842 439
69
72 Fountain, Castletown 1843 110
118
77 Mona Fellowship, Ramsey 1843 160
50
89 Star of Mona, Peel 1843 34
52
115 Mona Rushen, Colby 1859 95

135 Mona Joshua, Ballaugh 1865 54
43
201 Mona Ebenezer, Sulby 1866

217 Good Samaritan, Crosby 1867

225 Mona Offspring, Laxey 1868

283 Star of Foxdale, Foxdale 1872 40

690 Rising Star, Glenmaye 1889

780 Santon Union, Santon 1890

839 Mona Jonadab, Michael 1890 50

* source Rechabite Annual Directory and Yearbook 1893.

65

Appendix 2

Membership figures of the IOM District.

Year Adult Juvenile Total

1852* 375 . 375 1922 2,427 764 3,191
c.500
1858 under 500 1,008 1923 2,346 758 3,104
c.1,200
1863 1,008 c.1,300 1924 2,295 775 3,070
c.1,600
1869 c.1,200 c.1,700 1925 2,235 753 2,988
c,2,000
1871 c.1,300 1926 2,205 928 3,133
c.3,939
1873 c.1,600 1927 2,167 954 3,121
4,610
1875 c.1,700 4,487 1928 2,154 882 3,036

1877 c.2,000 4,515 1929 2,125 907 3,032
4,609
1879 IOM Giant no.1 4,656 1930 2,072 759 2,831
4,675
1881 IOM largest 4,536 1931 2,061 718 2,779
4,324
Home District 4,267 1932 2,019 671 2,690
4,223
1883 2,339 c.1,600 4,367 1933 1,994 677 2,671
still 1st Home Districts. 4,238
4,238 1934 1,973 600 2,573
4,169
1887 2,967 1,643 4,158 1935 1,926 551 2,477
4,042
1892 3,173 1,314 4,098 1936 1,907 501 2408
4,048
1893 2,864 3,848 1937 1,894 519 2,413
3,783
1894 2,943 3,710 1938 1,850 503 2,353
3,649
1895 3,003 3,541 1939 1,818 510 2,328
3,432
1896 3,185 1,330 3,393 1940 1,789 532 2,321
3,389
1897 3,185 1,424 3,392 1941 1,741 532 2,273
3,303
1898 3,222 1,424 1942 1,706 420 2,126

1899 3,285 1,390 1943 1,667 434 2,101

1900 3,243 1,293 1944 1,633 440 2,073

1901 3,184 1,140 1945 1,616 358 1,974

1902 3,191 1,076 1946 1,580 399 1,979

1903 3,223 1,000 1947 1,522 399 1,921

1904 3,231 1,136 1948 1,475 399 1,874

1905 3,292 946 1949 1,404 385 1,789

1906 3,201 1,037 1950 1,341 403 1,744

1907 3,160 1,009 1951 1,267 442 1,709

1908 3,131 1,027 1952 1,186 447 1,633

1909 3,083 956 1953 1,118 436 1,554

1910 3,068 1,030 1954 1,118 436 1,554

1911 2,998 1,050 1955 1,012 358 1,370

1912 2,893 955 1956 972 329 1,301

1913 2,823 960 1957 941 311 1,252

1914 2,848 862 1958 888 317 1,205

1915 2,816 826 From this year no Juvenile total.

1916 2,781 750 1959 834

1917 2,701 731 1960 794

1918 2,656 737 1961 716

1919 2,607 782 1962 679

1920 2,609 783 1963 630

1921 2,514 789 1964 594

1965 567

66

1966 543 1978 251
1967 517 1979 240
1968 494 1981 205
1969 476 1982 188
1970 451 1984 168
1971 432 1986 150
1972 393 1987 140
1973 376 1988 135
1974 348 1989 121
1975 320 1990 113
1976 297 1991 102
1977 272 1992 93

N.B.
Sources: For 1893 to 1958 the Isle of Man Examiner Yearbook gave figures, for
1959 and 60 adult only. These differ from and are supplemented with detail
extracted from Rechabite Directories, Campbell’s Rechabite History, District and
Executive Minute Books and HMC Reports.

Supplementary Figures.

District Minutes for a few years split Juvenile Membership according to benefit or
associate:

1934 551 (345/206) 1935 501 (315/186) 1936 519 (346/173)
1937 503 (345/158) 1938 510 (362/148) 1939 532 (407/125)
1940 532 (409/123) 1941 456(314/142) 1942 434 (309/125
1943 440 (277/163) 1944 358 (206/152) 1945 399 (232/167)
1946 399 (223/176) 1948 385 (226/159) 1949 403 (214/189)
1955 329 (51/278)

Wives or widows are also given for a few years:

1863 252 1887 315, 1892 298, 1923 183,
1925 42,
1965 20. 1935* 94 wives 43 widows, 1951* 39 wives 23 widows,

*from valuation reports

For four years the male female split is given:

1970 414/37 1971 397/35
1974 316/32 1975 289/31

67

Appendix 3
District Register of members 1855-1972.

This is the earliest surviving book and includes 14 Tents. (9417/11)

Register Headings are:

Registered No, Name, Occupation, Date of birth [later entries], Age at Entry, Initiation
Date, Wife’s Name if insured, Date of wife’s admission, Wife’s age at entry, No of
shares Sick, Funeral member/wife, Full sick pay per week, Amount insured Funeral Fund
self/wife, contributions Sick, Funeral, Management Funds, date ceased to be a member
and cause, Remarks.
This Register may for later entries provide date of birth and death. Occupation is very
general such as shoemaker, baker, labourer etc.

d.o.b. last after last
from. Initiation. 1948 No.

Ellan Vannin, 1918 1927 0 48

Members transferred to Mona Fellowship Dec 31 1927.

Good Samaritan, 1918 1956, 11 329

Mona Daniel. 1915 1952 1 421

Members transferred to Mona Rushen Jan 1 1960.

Mona Ebenezer, 1921 1945 0 92

Mona Fellowship, 1918 1953 3 1218

Mona Jonadab, 1917 1944 0 263

Mona Rushan, 1916 1962 2 822

Mona Union, 1915 1959 14 2795

North Douglas, 1916 1933 0 269

Members transferred to Mona Union Dec 31 1933.

Rising Star, 1917 1939 0 633

Santon Union, 1927 1947 0 166

Sons of Mona, 1916 1971* 4 870
(*J.H.Gorry aged17),

Star of Foxdale, 1917 1956 7 561

Members transferred to Good Samaritan Jan 1 1958.

Star of Mona, 1915 1959 3 2356.

Appendix 4

68

Mona Union
Members’ occupations and ages at initiation.

This was the largest Tent in the District and also the first to be established:
Summary from the District Register of Members, compiled circa 1915.

Year admitted 1855 1876 1916 1936 1948 Armstrong
to to to to to social
Accountant 1947 1959 class
1875 1896 1935
Agent - 3 1 - -1
- - 1 2 -2
Apprentices (various) - - 18 4 -3
1 7 4 2 -3
Baker - - - 1 -3
- 11 2 - -3
Barber - 1 - - -3
- - 2 - -3
Blacksmith - - 1 - -3
- 1 - - -3
Boiler maker 1 1 - 2 -3
1 5 2 - -3
Bootmaker - - 1 - -3
- 3 - - -2
Bricklayer - - 1 - -4
- 1 1 1 -3
Builder - 4 2 1 -4
- - - 1 -4
Butcher - - 1 - -3
- - - 2 -3
Cabinet maker - 7 18 19 23
- 1 - - -3
Car Inspector - - 1 1 -3
- - - - 12
Car Proprietor - 1 - -
- - - 1 3
Caretaker - 3 - 1 -3
- 1 - - -3
Carpenter - - 1 - -3
- - 1 - -3
Carter - - 3 1 -3
- 1 - - -4
Caterer 1 - 2 2 -3
- - 3 - -3
Chauffeur 1 1 9 8 -3
- - 1 - -3
Civil Servant 13 23 1 - -5
4 19 9 3 1 2/3
Clerk - 1 1 - -4
1 6 3 - -3
Coachman -4
1876 1916 1936 1948
Coach painter to to to to Armstrong
to social
Coach prop

Coach Trimmer -

Commercial Traveller

Compositor

Cooper

Cycle Dealer

Dental Tech

Domestic

Draper

Driver

Electrician

Engineer

Errand Boy

Farmer

Farm Labourer

Fireman

Gardener

Year admitted 1855

69

Gas Worker 1875 1896 1935 1947 1959 class
- - 1 - -4
Grocer 1 2 3 1 -3
- - 2 - -3
Grocers Asst - - 3 - -3
- 1 - - -3
Hairdresser - 2 - - -4
- - 2 3 --
Hatter 1 2 - - 2
- 1 - - -2
Hickler 1 1 1 - -3
- - 1 - -3
Housewife - - 1 - -3
- - - 1 -3
Insurance agent - 6 28 4 5 13
- - - 1 -3
Iron founder 2 37 8 3 -5
- 1 - - -1
Ironmonger - - - 1 -2
- 1 1 - -3
Iron mongers Asst 2 2 - 1 -3
2 6 3 1 -3
Iron Moulder - 1 2 - 13
- - 1 - -5
Jewellers Asst - - - 1 -3
- 2 - - -3
Joiner 1 - - - -3
- 2 - - -4
Lab Attendant - - 1 - --
- - 6 - -3
Labourer - - 8 2 -3
- - 1 - -3
Lawyer - 1 - - -3
- - 1 - -3
Librarian 2 5 3 - -
1 - - - -4
Locksmith 1 8 4 2 -3
- 1 - 1 -3
Mariner - 4 1 - -3
1 2 6 2 -3
Mason 4 4 1 4 -3
- 1 - - -5
Mechanic(various) - 2 1 - -3
- 3 3 1 -3
Messenger 1 - - - -3
- - 1 - -3
Milk Dealer - - 1 - -5
1 - 1 - -4
Miller
1876 1916 1936 1948 Armstrong
Millwright to to to to to social
1947 1959 class
Miner 1875 1896 1935

Missioner

Motor Driver

Motor Mechanic

Motor Trade

Moulder

Musician

None/not stated 1

Quay Man

Painter

Photographer

Plasterer

Plumber

Policeman/Constable

Porter

Postman

Printer

Railway Guard

Rate Collector

Removers Asst

Roper/Maker

Year admitted 1855

70

Saddler - 1- - - 3
Sailor/Seaman 3
Sanitary Inspector 13- 2- 2
Sawyer 3
Seedsman - 1- - - 3
Shoemaker 3
Shop Assistant - - 1- - 3
Smith 3
Stone Cutter - - 1- - 3
Storekeeper 3
Student 34- 1- -
Tailor 3
Teacher - - 34- 2
Telegraph Messenger 5
Telephonist - 2- - - 3
Tinsmith 3
Tobacco Spinner - 4- - - 3
Toolmaker 3
Typist - - 2- 3
Upholsterer 3
Warehouseman - - 4 16 9 3
Watchmaker 3
Water Inspector 544- - 2
Weaver 3
Wesleyan Minister - 1- - - 1
Widow -
- - 31-

- - - 11

- 1- - -

- 1- - -

- - 1- -

- - - 2-

- 12- -

- - - 1-

1- - - -

1- - - -

11- - -

1- - - -

- - - 1-

N.B.
occupation not completed for 1897-1915.

Numbers range from 351 to 2802. I presume the missing numbers had lapsed or died
when the District Register was compiled, although there are two blocks of numbers with
no details given for members transferred from other Tents, last entry was in 1959.

Males listed = 816
Females = 33
Total =
849

First female 1932.

N.B. In many cases only initials are given and for 20 years no occupation is stated
which makes it impossible to state exactly how many female members there were.

71

Appendix 5
Mona Jonadab
Members’ occupations and ages at initiation.

One of the smaller rural Tents in the District was Mona Jonadab, Kirk Michael on the
Western side of the Island in the Parish of Michael.

Summary from the District Register of Members, compiled circa 1915.

Year admitted 1872 1897 1916 1936 Armstrong
to to to
1896 to social
1915 1935
1 - - 1944 class
2 3 -
Accountant 1 - - -1
Baker - - 2
Barber 2 3 - -3
Blacksmith - 1 -
Butcher - - 1 -3
Carter - - 1
Chemist - - 1 -3
Civil Servant - - -
Clergyman 2 - - 13
Clerk 1 - -
Coachman - 1 - -4
Coal Factor - 2 -
Cowman - - 1 -1
Draper 2 - 2
Dressmaker 24 16 6 -3
Engineer 2 - 7
Farmer 2 - 1 -1
Farm Labourer - - 1
Fisherman - - 1 13
Gardener - 1 -
Garage proprietor - 1 - -3
Grocer - - 1
Highroadman - - - -2
Housekeeper - 1 -
Housewife 4 8 3 -4
Ironmonger 9 18 8
Joiner - 1 - -3
Labourer 1 1 1
Mechanic(various) - - 1 -3
Miller 1 - -
Motor Mechanic - 1 1 -3
None/not stated 1 - -
Policeman/Constable 2 - - 7 2/3
Postmaster 1 - -
Sailor 1 - - 14
Sanitary Inspector
Sea Captain -3

-4

-2

13

-5

-4

1-

-3

-3

35

-3

-3

-3

- -

-3

-2

-3

-2

-2

Year admitted 1872 1897 1916 1936 Armstrong

72

Shepherd to to to to social
Shoemaker 1896 1915 1935 1944 class
Shop Assistant
Smith - 1 - - 4
Soap Maker 1 - - - 4
Spinster - - - 1 3
Stationmaster 1 2 - - 3
Student - 1 - - 3
Surfaceman - 1 - - 3
Tailor 1 1 - 1 2
Teacher/Schoolmaster - - 1 1 -
Tramway Driver 2 - - - 5
Widow - 3 - - 4
1 1 - 1 2
1 - - - 3
5 - - - -

Males listed = 187
Females = 12
Total =
199

Numbers range from 3 to 263, with last entry made in 1944.

The missing numbers had lapsed or died when the District Register was compiled.
(Subsequent examination of actual Tent Register compiled in 1905 confirms this)

Age range at initiation:

15 - 4

16 - 41

17 - 38

18 - 20

19 - 18

20 - 10

21-25 - 28

26-30 - 11

31-39 - 17

40+ - 7

not stated (widows) 5 = 199

N.B. Lord Bishop was admitted an Honorary Member of this Tent in 1896.

73

Appendix 6

Sons of Mona
Members’ occupations and ages at initiation.

Finally an example of a Tent in an industrial area was Sons of Mona Tent, Laxey a
centre of lead mining in the parish of Lonan on the eastern side of the Island.

Summary of occupations from the District Register of Members, compiled circa 1915.

Year admitted 1868 1897 1916 1936 Armstrong
- to to to to social
Accountant 1896 1935 1971 class
Agent 1915 -1
Baker 1 - - 12
Blacksmith - - - 13
Book keeper - 6 2 13
Butcher 1 - 3 -2
Cabinet maker 1 - - -3
Carrier - - 1 -3
Carter - 1 - -4
Clerk - - 1 -4
Coach painter - 1 - 13
Draper 1 4 7 13
Dressmaker - - - 13
Engine Driver 3 7 1 13
Engine Fitter - - - -3
Engineer 2 1 - -3
Farmer - - 1 43
Farm Labourer 1 5 2 3 2/3
Farm Steward 10 12 6 -4
Grocer - 3 1 -2
Grocers Asst - 1 - 13
Hairdresser 1 8 7 -3
Ironmonger - - 1 13
Iron mongers Asst - - - 13
Joiner - - - -3
Labourer - - 1 13
Lead Dresser 2 10 1 -5
Mason 31 22 21 -5
Miller - 1 - -3
Miner - 2 - -3
Minister 3 4 1 -4
Motor Driver 15 26 3 -1
Motor Mechanic 1 - - 23
None/not stated - - 2 23
- - 1
2 1 1 -

Year admitted 1868 1897 1916 1936 Armstrong

74

Painter to to to to social
Photographer 1896 1915 1935 1971 class
Policeman/Constable
Postman - - - 1 3
Salesman - - 1 - 3
Ships captain - - 1 - 3
Shoemaker 1 - 3 - 3
Shop Assistant - - - 1 3
Smith - - 1 - 1
Stoker 2 4 3 - 3
Student - - 1 1 3
Tailor 8 5 - - 3
Teacher - - 1 - 4
Tractor Driver - 4 8 4 -
Warehouseman 5 - 1 - 3
Washer 1 - - - 2
Weaver - - - 1 4
Woollen Spinner - 1 - - 3
5 - - - 5
- 1 1 - 3
- - 2 - 3

Males listed = 347
Females = 2 (initiated in 1945/6)
Total =
349

Numbers range from 34 to 870. I presume the missing numbers had lapsed or died when
the District Register was compiled circa 1913/14. Last entry was in 1971.

Age range at initiation:

14 - 1

15 - 17

16 - 107

17 - 56

18 - 62

19 - 17

20 - 9

21-25 - 32

26-30 - 34

31-39 - 12

40+ - 2

N.B. Up to year of initiation 1915 the age has been altered sometimes illegibly to
age next birthday, the original age has been used where possible to compile this
table but the entries above should only be treated as an approximate guide.

75

FOOTNOTES TO APPENDICES 3 TO 6.

• Unfortunately many of the earliest records have not yet come to light and are
presumed lost.

• The District register 9417/11 appears to have been compiled in about 1915 and
continued from then until the Tents largely ceased to function.

• The actual register for Mona Jonadab 10043/45 was compiled in 1905, runs from 1 to
263 and states no date of admission known for members before 1875, (some 29
entries), when Tent records start. It includes the numbers missing from the District
version used above. In addition this register also gives place of residence.

• The actual register for Sons of Mona 9417/138 runs from 1900 to1971 no’s 574-870,
and does include the numbers missing from the District version used above, place of
residence is also given.

• SURVIVING RECHABITE REGISTERS OF MEMBERS.

District/Tent No. Place. Years. Ref.
District 1855-1972 9417/11
District 912 Ramsey 1896-1977 10043/5
Mona Fellowship, 50 Michael 1845-1987 10043/57
Mona Jonadab, 22 Douglas 1854-1988 10043/45
Mona Union, 913 Rushen 1842-1950 9417/45
Mona Rushen, 1163 Laxey 1859-1921 10043/60
Sons of Mona, 60 Peel 1900-1971 9417/138
Star of Mona, 1844-1959 9746/6/1-2

• Armstrong social classification abridged version taken from Sources and Methods for
Family and Community Historians: A Handbook pp 48-49. As used to classify
entries from 1851 census this gives some indication of social background of Tent
members.

76

Appendix 7

Population Census figures 1821 - 1961.

Male 1821 1831 1841 1851 1861 1871 1881 1891
Female 19,158 19,956 23,011 24,915 24,727 25,914 25,760 26,329
Total: 20,923 21,440 24,964 27,472 27,742 28,128 27,798 29,279
40,081 41,000 47,975 52,387 52,469 54,042 53,558 55,608

Births/deaths 1861-70 15,697 10,862;
1871-80 15,205 11,372
1881-90 14,840 10,919;

Age structure (males)

1851 1881 1901 1911 1921 1931 1951 1961
3,181 2,856 2,312 1,925 1,570 2,168 1,488
under 5 3,345 3,192 2,788 2,481 2,169 1,832 1,811 1,575
3,164 2,985 2,634 2,404 1,753 1,698 1,834
5-9 3,425 2,865 2,718 2,457 2,517 1,841 1,740 1,377
2,176 2,021 1,869 2,269 1,862 1,566 1,031
10-14 3,214 1,722 1,789 1,479 2,079 1,752 1,764 1,065
1,409 1,634 1,522 1,836 1,648 1,591 1,136
15-19 2,572 1,372 1,537 1,455 1,794 1,447 1,846 1,334
1,319 1,395 1,487 1,813 1,341 2,019 1,306
20-24 1,953 1,058 1,271 1,352 1,844 1,312 1,973 1,558
1,033 1,113 1,263 1,676 1,351 1,747 1,737
25-29 1,574 852 1,006 1,038 1,530 1,312 1,508 1,706
879 887 895 1,237 1,166 1,271 1,468
30-34 1,433 639 602 728 999 962 1,118 1,289
447 459 509 643 679 940 962
35-39 1,321 278 251 284 380 374 582 651
121 130 116 165 180 303 361
40-44 1,277 53 54 56 49 61 129 156

45-49 1,016

50-54 1,016

55-59 795

60-64 775

65-69 429

70-74 395

75-79 226

80-84 109

85+ 40

Male 1901 1911 1921* 1931 1951 1961
Female 25,496 23,937 27,329 22,443 25,774 22,034
Total 29,256 28,079 32,955 26,865 29,479 26,099
54,752 52,016 60,284 49,308 55,253 48,133

* distorted as taken later and includes visitors, population actually continued to fall

Births/deaths 1891-1900 14,221 10,990
1901-1910 11,315 9,484
1911-20 7,992 8,628
1921-30 7,543 7,742
1931-50 15,101 15,810
1951-60 6,149 7,114 **

** not included in census, from Registrar’s Report 1970.

77

Appendix 8

Methodist membership in the Isle of Man

Abstracted from research compiled by Frances Coakley and posted on web site
http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Contrib/manx/methdism

After initial efforts as early as 1758 the Island was made a circuit in 1778 and Wesley
visited in 1777 and 1781. By the later date there were 1,597 members. For a brief period
towards the end of the century the Island was the most numerous circuit in the British
Isles with in 1798 claimed membership of 4,847. The local population did not reach 40,000
until 1821, and was probably around 35,000 at this time. Assuming an adult population of
24,000 this would give approximate ratio of 1 in 5.

In the nineteenth century Methodism split into Wesleyan and Primitive factions with the
Primitives establishing a presence in 1822. By the 1851 religious census the Wesleyans
appeared to attract the better off working and lower middle classes whilst the Primitives
were more often working class.

Coakley summarises local Methodism in three periods

a) 1775-1850 early growth.
b) 1850-1925 in which Methodists have significant influence on politics and culture and
c) 1925 on decline.

At its high point perhaps one in eight was associated with the chapel.

Year Primitive Wesleyan
1783 1,758
1791 110 2,500
1799 297 4,100 * revival of 1797/8 during smallpox
1807 1,000* 2,236
1815 850 2,911
1823 1,173 2,513
1831 2,300
1833 3,400 *cholera epidemic
1839 2,845
1847 3,009

The Primitives continued to have between 928 1,406 members from 1848 to 1874 and
adding these to Wesleyan figures Coakley estimates an approximate average membership
of over 4,000 for much of the second half of the nineteenth century or about one in seven
of the adult population. With such consistently high levels of membership the Methodists
exercised considerable levels of influence both in social and political contexts.

78

Appendix 9

Benefits available to Members.

a) Extracted from Prospectus for new North Douglas Tent (1898)

[which appears to have split from Mona Union and it notes Mona Union Tent has a
brilliant record 630 members 450 juveniles and £10,223 in funds - one of the richest in the
world.]

Table of benefits: 10s 12s6d 15s
Monthly payments: per week during ditto ditto
sickness and at death
Adults: £10
Age at entry

under 20 1/7 1/11 2/3
20-24 1/8 2/0.25 2/4.5
25-29 1/9 2/0.5 2/6
30-34 1/11.5 2/4.5 2/9.5
35-39 2/2 2/7.5 3/1
40-42 2/5 2/11 3/5
43-45 2/8 3/2.5 3/9
46-49 2/11 3/6 4/1

Juveniles:

Table A: 1d per week gives Medical Attendance and medicine during sickness of 2/-per
week, 1.5d per week gives 4/- per week.

Table B: Funeral Benefit only; 2d per month gives if a member for

6-11 months £1.00

1-2 years £2.00

2 years and over £3.00

Table C: Sick and Funeral Benefit and Medical Attendance

Monthly 3.5d medical attendance and In event of death if a

medicine when sick member

6-11 months £1
£2
1 - 2 years £3

2 years and over

5d do. and 2/- p.w. do.

6d do. and 3/- p.w. do.

7d do. and 4/- p.w. do.

79

b) Extracted from Leaflet issued for Mona Fellowship Tent c.1905.

Notes scale of benefits paying between 2/6 and 15/- per week and
death cover from £5 to £20 Entrance Fee for all ages of 5/-.

Also life expectancies of all males at age 18 as 41.75 years
well to do class males “ 43.5 years
Rechabite males “ 50.5 years

c) From IOM District Rules 1960.

District Death Benefit Contribution Table in shillings and pence.
(.25 equals ¼ d, .5 = ½ d and .75 = ¾ d.)

Age at entry £5 £10 £15 £20 £30 £40
under 30 1.5 3
under35 1.75 3.5 4.5 6 9 1/-
under40 24
under43 2.5 5 5.25 7 10.5 1s2d
under 46 36
under50 3.5 7 6 8 1/- 1s2d
every 4 weeks.
7.5 10 1/6 2/-

9 1/- 1/6 2/0

10.5 1s2d 1/9 2/4

Sickness Contribution Table

Age at entry 2/6 5/- 7/6 10/- 12/6 15/- p.w.
6 9 1/0 1/3 1/6
under 20 3 6.5 9.75 1/1 1/0.25 1/7.5
7 10.5 1/2d 1/5.25 1/9
under 25 3.25 8 1/- 1/4d 1/8 2/-
9 1/1.5 1/6 1/10.5 2/3
under 30 3.5 10 1/3 1/8 2/1 2/6
11 16.5 1/10 2/3.5 2/9
under 35 4 1/- 1/6 2/- 2/6 3/-

under 40 4.5

under 43 5

under 46 5.5

under 50 6

80

Appendix 10

Order Regalia from 1893 General Rules.

R74 Badges of the Order
1. Badge of the Order shall be a sash or collar which may be worn at any meeting in
connection with the Order.
2. No Badge official unless supplied by the Order.
3. Members and Officers in addition to Sash or Collar may wear the apron, the colour of
the border of the apron shall be the same colour as the sash or stripes the member is
entitled to wear.
4. List and description of the sashes or collars:

Past High Chief Ruler white with 3 purple stripes
High Chief Ruler white with 2 purple stripes
High Deputy Ruler white with 1 purple stripe

Deputy HCR purple stripes on edges
Past DHCR “
Members of the Board of
Directors “
Past Members of the Board
of Directors “
Order Trustees and Auditors
Past HMC reps “
Past DCR “
DCR 3 blue stripes
DDR 2 blue stripes
District Treasurer 1 blue stripe
District Sec blue stripes on edges
Dist Asst Sec “
Dist Levite “
Dist Guardian “
Dist Trustees “
Dist Auditors “
Dist Reps “
Past Chief Ruler “
CR 3 scarlet stripes
DR 2 scarlet stripes
Treasurer 1 scarlet stripe
Secretary scarlet stripes on edges
Asst Sec “
Steward “
Levite “
Guardian “
Trustees “
Auditors “
Members 5 years in order “
members at admission “
white.

81

Appendix 11

Table of National Membership and Funds from
Highet’s Rechabite History.

End of Adult Juvenile Funds
Year

1835 45 - 10

1840 10.320 650 3,025

1846 18,268 1,360 11,250

1850 9,060 1,082 13,025

1856 5,940 972 19,825

1860 6,115 974 28,754

1866 10,342 2,409 49,863

1870 15,402 4,389 90,824

1876 32,086 9,468 159,100

1880 34,641 16,684 243,214

1886 67,722 28,298 384,477

1890 95,074 47,795 531,973

1896 142,078 81,678 834,061

1900 168,293 100,896 1,130,639

1906 224,301 168,246 1,742,036

1910 259,508 209,164 2,254,454

1916 335,294 286,555 3,061,120

1920 377,525 425,523 3,721,486

1926 385,797 368,436 4,862,779

1930 390,470 329,535 5,554,223

1934 387,204 310,870 6,485,346

N.B. peak year for adults 1932 390,534

for juveniles 1920 425,523

State membership
1912 344,149
1916 402,069
1920 432,339
1925 425,521
1930 450,145

82

Appendix 12

Historical Survey of Law relating to sale of Intoxicating Liquor.
Summarised from Appendix 7 of the Report of Licensing Commission 1933.

1734 Act to suppress Petty Alehouses and Tippling Houses. This provided no liquor be
sold without a licence from the Governor at a fee of 2s 6d per annum, no more than 200
licences for whole Island but increased to 300 in 1740.

1753 Licence fee increased to 9s 9d. for purpose of defraying cost of repairing
highways.

1819 Act passed to make provision ‘for the better making, repair and amending of
Highways and Bridges.’ This Act provided a new system of licence duties and restricted
sales by non Tavern, Inn or Public House Licence holders.

1830 Highway Act replaced 1819 Act fees increased. Besides Public House Licences,
‘private licences’ were issued for the sale of liquor not to be consumed on the premises.
No grocer, mercer, draper, or huxter keeping a shop and exercising his trade or business
should obtain a licence for a public house.

1857 Act to provide for the better regulation of taverns and tavern keepers and
repealing 1830 Act. Established Licensing Courts and the stipulation of accommodation
requirements to qualify a house for a tavern.

1876 Licensing Act repealed previous legislation and substituted new provisions.
Provided general public house (all days), 6 day public house (not Sunday), retail liquor (off
sales) and packet boat licences. The Licensing Court could consider the requirements of
the town or parish and give certificates in respect of public houses as they may consider
sufficient. This provision altered in 1893 adding to be licensed for 1 year before as they
may consider sufficient.

1895 Licensing Amendment Act provided for short term public house licences for
Monday before Whit Sunday to 1 October to be either 6 day or general.

1907 provision made for premises to be granted general public house licences during the
summer and 6 day public house during the winter.

1927 Licensing Act power to Licensing Court on any application for renewal of a public
house licence to require structural alterations to secure proper conduct of business.

1928 Licensing Act provided that all licensed premises should be closed for sale of
intoxicating liquor on Sunday.

83

Bibliography

Main Published Sources:

Campbell, Richardson., (1911). Rechabite History, Manchester : IOR.

Fraser, Derek., (1983). The Evolution of the British Welfare State. 2nd ed, London :
Macmillan.

Gosden, P.H.J.H., (1961) The Friendly Societies in England 1815 - 1875, Manchester
: Manchester UP.

Harrison, Brian., (1971) Drink and the Victorians : The Temperance Question in
England 1815-1872, London : Faber and Faber.

Henriques, Ursula R. Q., (1979). Before the Welfare State : Social Administration in
early industrial Britain. London : Longman.

Highet, Robert., (1936). Rechabite History [1835-1935], Manchester : IOR.

Kinvig, R.H., (1975). The Isle of Man, a social cultural and political history. Liverpool
: Liverpool University Press.

Moore, A.W., (1900). ‘From Revestment to Home Rule’. In : A History of the IOM vol.
2. Book 4, p. 527-681. London : T Fisher Unwin.

Secondary published sources with MNH library shelf mark:

[n.b. for a) - c) these are all D126/5/2 except those marked *]

a) Head Office Publications:

The Emblem of the Order, Books 1 and 2. (c.1945). Manchester : IOR.

Funeral Ritual : Address to be read at the Funeral of Deceased Members, (n.d),
Manchester : IOR.

Rechabite Annual Directory and General Reference Book for 1888/9, Manchester : IOR

Rechabite Reference Book and Directory for 1893/4, Manchester : IOR.

Rechabite Directory for 1904/5. (1904), Manchester : IOR

*Rechabite Directory 1923-25. Manchester : IOR. D126/5/3

Rules of the IOR as amended by HMC 1893, (c.1894). Manchester : IOR.

Rules Parts 1 and 2, as amended by HMC 1913. (1914). Manchester : IOR.

84

Sixteenth Moveable Conference Report held at Douglas, August 1856. (1856) Bolton : W.
Robinson.
*Tent Ritual, (n.d.). Manchester : IOR. D126/5/5

b) District Publications:
Caine, P.W., 100 years of Manx Rechabitism 1836-1936 : Centenary Souvenir. (1936)
Douglas : IOM District.
*Manifesto to Rechabites. (c.1897). Douglas :IOM District Executive.
D126/5/1x p.4
Rules of the District ,(Amended), (1895). Douglas : Clucas and Fargher.
Rules of the Juvenile Section of IOM District. (c.18??). Douglas :Clucas and Fargher.
Rules of the Juvenile Section of IOM District, adopted at District Council Meeting 3
November 1904. (1904). Douglas : Clucas and Fargher.
Rules, (1960) Douglas : Mona’s Herald.
*Valuation reports as at Dec 31, 1925. (1927). Douglas : Clucas and Fargher.
D126/5/4

c) Tent publications:
Mona Fellowship Tent No 912, (1888) Grand Festival and Tea Meeting at Ramsey:
Initiation of Lord Bishop, the High Bailiff of Ramsey and others with interesting
statistics with regard to Rechabitism. Ramsey : reprinted from Ramsey Courier of 18
February.
Mona Fellowship Tent No 912, (1898), Rules. Douglas : Clucas and Fargher.
Mona Jonadab Tent No 50, (1898), Rules. Douglas : Clucas and Fargher.
Mona Union Tent No 22, (1898) Rules. Douglas : Clucas and Fargher.
*North Douglas - prospectus for suggested new Tent, (1898) D126/5/1x p.1.
Star of Mona Tent No 60, (1889) Rules Peel : WK Palmer.
Star of Mona Tent No 60, (1899) Rules Douglas : Clucas and Fargher.
Sons of Mona Tent No 1,163 (1899) Rules Douglas : Clucas and Fargher.

85

d) Other publications:

Ayre, Rev G J., (1894). The Liquor Traffic in the Isle of Man: Report of a Committee
of the Manx Nonconformist Council, October 1894.
Douglas, Clucas and Fargher. D36/2

Cowin, James., (1884), Temperance in the IOM: A Retrospect and Prospect, paper
read at the Conference of the Manx Temperance Union Jan 1 1884. Douglas : Manx
Temperance Union. D36/2

Cubbon, William, (1897). The Liquor question in the IOM.
In : The Prohibition Movement: Papers and proceedings of the National Convention
for the Prohibition of the Liquor Traffic, Newcastle Upon Tyne April 3 to 9 1897.
pp124-128. Newcastle : North of England Temperance League and others. D36/7

Douglas Temperance Federation.
First to Fifth Annual Reports, 1895-99. D36/1x p4-8.

Douglas Temperance Societies Annual Meeting. (1866) From : Manx Sun Jan 6.
D36/1x p20-23

IOM Examiner Year Books 1892 to 1961. L9EX

Jubilee of Manx Sunday closing : Celebration in Douglas. In : Manx Quarterly No 4,
April 1908 pp344-347. L6MQ

Lees. Dr F.R., ( c.1870/1). Memoir of the late James Teare. In : Powell, Frederick.,
Bacchus Dethroned. London : Educational Trading Company.
G88TEA

Licensing Commission Appointed … 1921 to consider and report what legislation should
be introduced in regard to the days and hours during which Licensed Premises should be
allowed to be open for the sale and supply of intoxicating liquor. (1922) Majority and
Minority Reports. Douglas : S.K. Broadbent. D36/5x (8)

Licensing Commission (1933). Report. Douglas : Norris Modern Press.
B36/5x (13)

Licensing Commission (1959). Report. Douglas : Norris Modern Press.
D36/5x (16)

The Licensing Laws (1892). Minutes of Evidence taken by Committee of Tynwald
appointed 27 Oct 1891 to consider if any Amendments are required in the Laws
regulating the sale of Liquors in the Island. Douglas : Brown and Son. D36/5x (1)

Liquor Licensing Commission IOM (1972). Report. Douglas : Island Development Co.
D36/5x (19)

Liquor Traffic (Local Control) Bill.(1918). Report of Committee appointed by the
House of Keys to Consider and Report on the granting of Compensation to Persons

86

Deprived of their Licences, and as to what form such Compensation should take;
together with Minutes of Evidence. Douglas : Brown and Sons.
B36/5x (6)

Liquor Traffic (Local Control) Bill, (1919). To empower Electors in prescribed Areas to
exercise Control over Licences for the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors. Douglas : Brown
and Sons. B36/5x (7)

Mackenzie, Rev William., (1862). The IOM suitable for an Experimental Prohibitory Law.
In : Proceedings of International and Temperance Convention, London Sept 2-4,
1862 pp 342-7. London : Job Caudwell.
D36/4

Manx Temperance Federation Scrapbook 1913-36. D36/6q

Manx Union for the Promotion of Temperance, (1882). Local Option in the IOM,
Debate in the House of Keys 9-10 Feb, Reprinted from IOM Times. Douglas Brown and
Sons. D36/2

Manx Union Temperance Meetings. (c.1882) Douglas : M.Glover.
D36/1x p17

Norris Modern Press Yearbooks 1906 to 1916. L6N1

Norris, Samuel., (1939). Manx Memories and Movements, 2nd deluxe edition. Douglas :
Norris Modern Press. G88NOR

Rechabite Past Officers encampment (1893), Report of, In : Mona’s Herald 11 Jan.
D36/1xp27

Rippon, Rev Thomas, (c.1894). The Morals of Douglas, what is the remedy: Two
addresses delivered at Victoria St Wesleyan Methodist Church Nov 26 and Feb 23,
1893/4. Douglas, Clucas and Fargher. D36/2

Sayle, William., (1845). A Letter to the members of the Manx Legislature on the
subject of the petitions praying for the enactment of a law to reduce the number of
public houses and to close them on the Sabbath. Douglas, IOM Temperance
Association. D36/2

Taverns Act (1857) An Act to provide for the better regulation of Taverns and Tavern
Keepers and for other purposes. In : Statutes of the Isle of Man Vol.2. 422-429.
Douglas : Brown and Sons. D200/1

Teare, Alfred J., (1962). Reminiscences of the Manx Labour Party, Douglas : Island
Development Co. D155

A Notable Manxman : James Teare the ‘St Paul of Teetotalism’. from IOM Times 8
October 1932. G88/IIx p4.

87

Tynwald Court (c.1894). Report of the Committee appointed to consider whether any
and (if so) what amendments are required in the law regulating the sale of
intoxicating liquors in this island, and whether it is desirable to consolidate the law.
Douglas : Brown and Son. D36/5x (2)

Main Manuscript Sources with MNH library shelf mark:
a) IOM District
Commutation book for Mona Union, Mona Jonadab, Star of Mona, Mona Fellowship,
Mona Rushen, Good Samaritan and Sons of Mona Tents 1978-80.
9417/13
Minute book No.1 July 1 1875- June 22 1881 and July 20 1886 to September 24 1898.
9417/2/1
Minute book No.2 October 27 1898 to October 21 1909. 9417/2/2
Executive minutes June 11 1904 to September 15 1922. 9417/3
Minute book No.4 printed District minutes April 24 1924 to May 2 1946.
9417/2/4
Minute book, No.5. October 24 1946 to 17 May 1979. 10043/2/1
Minute book, No.6 November 1 1979 to May 6 1996. 10043/2/2
Executive minute book Mar 19 1981 to Jul 19 1996. 10043/4
Register of members 1855-1972. 9417/11
Valuation Reports. As at 31 Dec. 1900, 1905, 1910, 1925, 1935, 1951.
9417/25/1 -6

b) Individual Tents
Mona Union Douglas Tent minute book Aug 1843 - Dec 1877. 9417/40/1
Mona Union Douglas minute book 1877-1900 (extracts Jun1881-Jul 86 only). 9417/40/2
Star of Mona Tent Peel minute book Oct 1844 - Feb 1862. 9746/2/1

88

Secondary Manuscript Sources with location numbers in the Manx Museum
collections:

Cubbon, William., (1885). Notebook with draft lecture written for Mona Union Tent.
Rechabite and Temperance Legislation in the IOM. 9913

Douglas Temperance Society, Correspondence and papers, 1845-1847.
MD17 (1-64)

High Moveable Conference Business Reports, 1975-95. 10043/69/1-21

Highet, Robert., (c.1923). IOR Points and Paragraphs for Preachers, Teachers and
Speakers. Manchester: IOR. 9417/175/1

Juvenile Tent Ritual (nd). Manchester : IOR. 9417/178

Kirk Andreas Auxiliary Temperance Society Minute Book 1833-1841.
MS 1235A

A Romance of Rechabitism : A talk for Tents put in question and answer form with a
key. (c.1935). Manchester : IOR. 9417/174

Teare, James, the Manx Temperance Reformer. (extracted from Winskill’s History and
other sources). MS255A

UK Alliance IOM Auxiliary, Minute Book; Manx Union for Promotion of Temperance,
Douglas Temperance Society 1855-63. MS44A

N.B.
A full listing of the records of the District and Individual Tents is available in the
Manx National Heritage Library as follows:

Accession number:

9417 District and Tent records from Allan Street Rechabite Hall, Douglas.
9746 Star of Mona Peel and rising star Glenmaye.
9866 Mona Daniel Castletown and Mona Rushen Colby
10043 District and Tent Records.
10044 Items transferred from printed collections.

N.B.
An additional late discovery was Mona Ebenezer Tent Minute Book Jun 1866-May
1894 which was not consulted. MS 5037B

89